Symptom: We tend to fall behind in setting standards.
Product design standards planning is an evolutionary process. Cells in the framework are filled in as the industry matures, needs for integration are perceived, and technologies become available. If standards planning is static rather than dynamic, it will fall behind.
In a healthy Standards Coordinator function, standards planning is a process, not a project. The organization consciously decides its risk profile, and sets standards whenever the industry has matured to the proper point. Cells in the framework may contain not only today's standard, but a sense of emerging guidelines and statements of direction for the future.
If decisions are falling behind needs, first check to be sure that the Standards Coordinator function exists and is properly chartered. If not, the problem is organizational rather than methodological.
If a Standards Coordinator function exists, then the method of standards planning (the process) may be suspect.
Root cause:Structure, organization chart (missing standards coordinator function) copyright 2024 N. Dean Meyer and Associates Inc. All rights reserved.
